The Denver Nuggets put on an offensive clinic tonight crushing the Memphis Grizzlies 142-105 in a thrilling NBA showdown. Nikola Jokic led the charge with a monster triple-double of 26 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists while Jamal Murray and Peyton Watson chipped in 23 points apiece. The Grizzlies despite a valiant effort from Desmond Bane (23 points) simply couldn’t keep up with the Nuggets’ firepower.
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Nuggets Take Early Control
Denver established their dominance early racing out to a 33-27 lead after the first quarter. Jokic was unstoppable in the paint while Murray and Aaron Gordon knocked down key three-pointers. The Grizzlies hung tough but Denver’s balanced attack proved too much to handle.
Second Quarter Explosion
The Nuggets put the game on ice in the second quarter erupting for 41 points while holding Memphis to just 21. Jokic continued to orchestrate the offense finding open shooters and finishing with ease at the rim. Denver’s defense clamped down on the Grizzlies’ perimeter players forcing them into tough shots. By halftime the Nuggets led by a commanding 74-48 margin.
Grizzlies Make a Run
Memphis refused to go down without a fight outscoring Denver 35-26 in the third quarter. Bane caught fire from beyond the arc hitting four three-pointers to keep the Grizzlies within striking distance. Jaren Jackson Jr. also chipped in with 14 points and 4 rebounds providing a much-needed spark for the visitors.
Nuggets Close Strong
However, the Nuggets’ offensive juggernaut proved too much for Memphis to overcome in the fourth quarter. Denver outscored the Grizzlies 36-22 in the final frame putting the game away for good. Michael Porter Jr. provided a much-needed offensive boost with 8 points in the quarter while John Konchar chipped in with 10 points and 7 rebounds off the bench.
Key Takeaways:
- Dominance of Jokic: The reigning MVP was unstoppable tonight, displaying his all-around brilliance with a triple-double performance. His elite ability to score, rebound and pass makes him nearly impossible to contain.
- Denver’s Offense Wasn’t Just a One-Man Show: Denver’s offense wasn’t just a one-man show. Murray and Watson contributed significantly to the scoring, while Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun made key shots throughout the game. The Grizzlies struggled to defend against this offensive variety.
- Grizzlies Struggles: Memphis struggled offensively for much of the night. Bane’s hot shooting kept them in the game, but their supporting cast failed to deliver. Their defense also struggled to keep Jokic and the Nuggets’ perimeter shooters under control.
Looking Ahead:
This win strengthens the Denver Nuggets’ hold on the third seed in the Western Conference. They will look to build on this momentum as they head into the new year. Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies will need to regroup and find a way to get their offense back on track if they want to make a serious playoff push.
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Additional Notes:
- The Nuggets shot 57% from the field and 48% from three-point range, while the Grizzlies shot just 42% from the field and 37% from three-point range.
- Denver outrebounded Memphis 53-35.
- The Nuggets had 43 assists compared to the Grizzlies’ 23.
- This was the second meeting between the two teams this season, with the Nuggets winning both games.
Denver Nuggets 142 – 105 Memphis Grizzlies
| Box Score | Player Statistics |
|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | |
| FGM | 55/96 |
| 3PM | 20/41 |
| PTS | 142 |
| REB | 53 |
| AST | 43 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | |
| FGM | 37/88 |
| 3PM | 13/35 |
| PTS | 105 |
| REB | 35 |
| AST | 23 |
| Player | Pts | Reb | Ast | Min | Pos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuggets | |||||
| Nikola Jokic | 26 | 14 | 10 | 29 | C |
| Jamal Murray | 23 | 3 | 9 | 25 | G |
| Peyton Watson | 20 | 5 | 2 | 23 | F |
| Marcus Smart | 17 | 3 | 5 | 23 | G |
| David Roddy | 15 | 0 | 2 | 28 | F |
| Grizzlies | |||||
| Desmond Bane | 23 | 1 | 2 | 25 | G |
| Jaren Jackson Jr. | 14 | 4 | 2 | 27 | F |
| Julian Strawther | 12 | 3 | 2 | 24 | G |
| Kentavious Caldwell-Pope | 12 | 2 | 3 | 25 | G |
| Christian Braun | 11 | 3 | 4 | 23 | G |
| Denver Nuggets | Memphis Grizzlies |
|---|---|
| Field Goals | 55 (57.4%) |
| Free throws | 12 (85.7%) |
| 3-pointers | 20 (48.8%) |
| Rebounds | 53 |
| Offensive rebounds | 12 |
| Defensive rebounds | 41 |
| Assists | 43 |
| Steals | 6 |
| Blocks | 6 |
| Turnovers | 11 |
| Fouls | 19 |
| Largest lead | 38 |
| Time (Min) | Team | Event | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:20 | 142 – 105 | X. Tillman layup | 2 |
| 1:33 | 142 – 104 | Z. Nnaji 3-pointer | 3 |
| 1:44 | 140 – 104 | D. Roddy layup | 2 |
| 1:54 | 140 – 102 | J. Strawther layup | 2 |
| 2:14 | 138 – 102 | J. Konchar jumper | 2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the leading scorer for the Nuggets?
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with a triple-double, scoring 26 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists.
Who was the leading scorer for the Grizzlies?
Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 23 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Nuggets’ offensive firepower.
Did any other Grizzlies players have a good game?
Jaren Jackson Jr. had a solid performance with 14 points and 4 rebounds, while Julian Strawther added 12 points.